DEP head Mike Krancer to leave agency

Mike Krancer will step down April 15 as head of the state Department of Environmental Protection, Gov. Tom Corbett's administration said this morning.

Krancer, 55, will return to his former law firm, Blank Rome, the governor's office said in a statement.

"Secretary Krancer has been an invaluable member of our team and I am grateful for his service," Corbett said in a statement. "His impressive efforts at DEP have taken the agency back to basics, protecting the environment and making the permitting process more efficient."

Appointed in January 2011, Krancer oversaw an agency reorganization and implementation of a permit decision guarantee program, which guarantees timely action by the DEP on permit applications.

Krancer and DEP also have been deeply involved in the administration's energy policy and related economic development efforts, including the implementation of new natural-gas drilling regulations and the repurposing of three Philadelphia-area refineries.

E. Christopher Abruzzo will serve as acting DEP secretary. Abruzzo is Corbett's deputy chief of staff and will hold both positions until Krancer's successor is chosen, the administration said.